"Bees pollinate 75 percent of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States. Around the world, bees pollinate $24 billion worth of crops each year. Without bees, humans would face a drastically reduced diet. We need bees to grow the foods that keep us healthy. Bu tnumbers of bees are falling, and that has scientists alarmed. What's causing the decline? Diseases, pesticides, climate change, and loss of habitat are all threatening bee populations. Some bee species are teetering on the brink of extinction. Learn about the many bee species on Earth--their nests, their colonies, their life cycles, and their vital connection to flowering plants. Most importantly, find out how you can help these crucial pollinators." -- back cover. Around the world, bees pollinate $24 billion worth of crops each year. Without bees, humans would face a drastically reduced diet. We need bees to grow the foods that keep us healthy. But numbers of bees are falling, and that has scientists alarmed. What's causing the decline? Diseases, pesticides, climate change, and loss of habitat are all threatening bee populations. Some bee species are teetering on the brink of extinction. Hirsch discusses the many bee species on Earth: their nests, their colonies, their life cycles, and their vital connection to flowering plants. Most importantly, find out how you can help these crucial pollinators. -- adapted from front flap

"Pollinators in crisis." -- cover.

The last Franklin's bumblebee -- The remarkable, hard-working humblebee -- Disease spillover -- The day the bees died -- An ancient relationship -- The need for natives -- Bee town, USA -- What's best for bees. The last Franklin's bumblebee -- An ancient relationship -- Pollination powerhouses -- A bee Cs -- Disease spillover -- The day the bees died -- Bee Town, USA -- What's best for bees? -- A note from the author. -- source: Contents page